By Talon
September 6, 2012
Orlando, FL
We opened IMPACT with a music video highlighting the two major BFG Series Matches tonight as Jeff Hardy, Bully Ray, Samoa Joe and Rob Van Dam try to make it to No Surrender along with James Storm.September 6, 2012
Orlando, FL
Talon's Take: TNA is treating these BFG Series Matches with a big show feel. Its their playoffs to have an opportunity at their World Championship. I look forward to see what the landscape is for No Surrender after tonight.
Jeff Hardy vs Samoa Joe
BFG Series Match
Joe wore a wrap around his left forearm as a result of the chair shot a few weeks ago at the hands of Magnus. The crowd was loudly in favor of Hardy as Joe took him out with a shoulder tackle. James Storm was watching on a backstage monitor as Joe pummeled Hardy with rapid-fire right hands in the corner. Joe continued with some hard kicks on the outside of the ring. Hardy gained control and hit a Springboard attack sending both he and Joe into the guardrail.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Joe hits a big back elbow on Hardy following the break. Joe continues the onslaught with a jumping Enziguri. Joe's frustration became evident as he was unable to put Hardy away. Hardy soon gained momentum with a series of clotheslines and a basement dropkick. Hardy went up top for the Swanton but Joe rolled out of the way. A Twist of Fate was countered into a Coquina Clutch attempt. Hardy rolled through and connected with the Whisper in the Wind. He then connected with the Twist of Fate. Hardy locked Samoa Joe into an Armlock/Anaconda Vice type move to force Joe to tap out for 10 points.
Talon's Take: This match felt big! I liked how the Joe arm injury played into the finish even though Hardy isn't known for submissions. It wasn't the best of matches but kept Hardy into the series.
Backstage, Austin Aries ran into Hulk Hogan. Aries wanted to know how the Aces and 8s keep getting into the IMPACT Zone. Hogan revealed that the guy who slapjacked Aries last week was a stage hand and would be here tonight. Aries asked if he couldn't diplomatically get the answers out of the guy and Hogan told him to break his legs. Aries guaranteed he would make him talk.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Back from break, Christy Hemme was going to interview Samoa Joe when Magnus interrupted. Magnus mocked Joe for his submission loss. Magnus apologized for hurting Samoa Joe's arm a few weeks ago. Magnus told Joe that he ruined the great tag team they had. Magnus said he was over it and wished Joe the best of luck. Magnus feigned leaving when he attacked Joe from behind once again.
Backstage, Hulk Hogan spoke with the tag team possibilities for tonight's "Championship Thursday" (the two Robbies, Gunner and Kash, Hernandez and Chavo). Hogan said he needs someone to lead the tag team division. Robbie E said he and Rob Terry were the youngest guys in the room. Robbie ran down Chavo and Kid Kash. Kash also mouthed off to Chavo.
AJ Styles walked in the room and said Hogan told him he deserves a little revenge. Hogan eliminated AJ Styles telling him that he can't hold two tag titles. Hogan told AJ to live to fight another day.
Talon's Take: The AJ Styles elimination surprised me as TNA could have used the mystery partner concept to possibly gain interest in the match. I am assuming the Tex-Mex Express (Chavo and Hernandez) will be walking into the tag title match tonight.
Elsewhere, Brooke Hogan congratulated Tara on defeating Brooke Tessmacher a few weeks ago. Hogan announced Tara vs Tessmacher for the Knockouts Title at No Surrender. Gail Kim stormed in and yelled at Hogan for bringing in eye candy. Brooke announced that it would be Gail Kim vs Tara tonight. The two got into each other's faces.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Mike Tenay announced that on October 14th, we would get a special "Countdown to Bound For Glory" show that would feature backstage interviews, an exclusive match and more; only on Spike.
Talon's Take: I like the idea of holding this special. TNA is doing a pretty good job making BFG feel like a bigger show. The additional match will also give more wrestlers a paycheck.
Gail Kim vs Tara
Kim and Tara went right after one another as they exchanged arm drags. Gail connected with a hard shoulder block into the corner as well as an interesting senton type move. Tara eventually fought back with a Scoop Slam and a few right hands. Tara hit a beautiful floatover suplex for a nearfall. Gail got a hold of Tara's leg and sent her hard into the ropes. Tara caught Gail on top and connected with the Widow's Peak for the three count.
Talon's Take: Okay match in a dwindled Knockouts Division. There are about six Knockouts that TNA uses semi-regularly. This was okay but the variety of match possibilities isn't as great as it used to be.
We got a recap of the Joey Ryan saga including his Gutcheck tryout and the numerous cheap shots on Al Snow. Al Snow headed to the ring as we took a commercial break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Al Snow stood in the center of the ring. Snow told Joey Ryan that he has his attention. Snow said he would offer Ryan another opportunity. He knows he is here so get his ass in here. Ryan appeared in the crown carrying a megaphone. Joey Ryan was cocky and told Al he is bringing sleazy back. Al Snow got serious and told Ryan if he wants a shot, he would get one. No judges, just a match; that he has to win. Joey Ryan said he has already proven he deserves a shot. Al Snow said if he wants it then he goes though Gutcheck.
Al revealed that Ryan would have to go through him. Ryan ran down Snow telling him it isn't the 90s anymore. Snow slapped Ryan who rolled out of the ring and threatened to sue Snow and TNA. Ryan retreated through the crowd with his tail between his legs.
Talon's Take: So we will be getting Snow vs Ryan in the future; but when? I would guess at Bound For Glory as No Surrender would feel rushed. Ryan will likely continue running his mouth over the next month before accepting the challenge. While this feud has moved very slowly, I am happy we are finally getting some progression.
Backstage, Joseph Park was on his cellphone when Bully Ray interrupted. Ray said he was busy with the BFG Series but he said they had the same problems. Ray asked if Joesph Park found out anything about the Aces and 8s but Joseph declined to answer calling it attorney-client privilege. Ray warned Park not to stick his nose where it doesn't belong.
Talon's Take: Ray seems like one of the top candidates for the Aces and 8s group. He hasn't been attacked, wasn't involved in the big brawl and has reasoning behind his alliance with the group. This segment only furthers that theory.
Backstage, a security guard walked in the guy who attacked Austin Aries last week. The champion walked in and said that he hopes Aries starts talking soon.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, Hogan was meeting with the remaining three teams in the race. Hogan said the reason the tag team division has been off kilter because of him as General Manager. Chavo told the others that he respects them. Robbie said Chavo and Hernandez haven't teamed for long at all. Hogan eliminated Gunner and Kash. Robbie told them better luck next time. Kash told Robbie that he had to go to his car sometime.
Bully Ray vs Rob Van Dam
BFG Series Match
RVD taunted following the opening bell. Ray bragged about his calves when RVD kicked him in them. The two exchanged holds for a few more minutes before RVD sent Ray to the outside then hit a Baseball Slide moments later. RVD connected with a flip dive on Ray. RVD went up top but Ray caught him there. RVD's leg was trapped in the ropes as Ray clobbered his knee. The stupid crowd chanted "Devon's Better" (even though he is no longer in the company). Ray continued the assault on the knee of RVD. Ray yelled at referee Earl Hebner, who freaked out at Ray.
RVD connected with a spin kick to regain control. RVD with a Wheel Kick followed by the Rolling Thunder for two. RVD hit a Monkey Flip and a Springboard Crossbody for two. A Rider Kick was missed as Ray smashed him with a Big Boot for a nearfall. Ray went for the Vader Bomb but RVD got out of the way. RVD improved a Split Legged Moonsault and hit the Rider Kick. RVD went for the 5 Star Frog Splash but Bully caught him in the air with the Bully Cutter for the win. Bully Ray is in and RVD is out of the BFG Series.
Talon's Take: Awesome finish with Ray hitting the cutter. The match was very good and very entertaining. I am hoping TNA has signed Ray to a long-term contract as it makes no sense to put a guy possibly on the outs over some of your top names. It will be James Storm, Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe and Bully Ray in the tournament on Sunday.
Backstage, Austin Aries continued to interrogate "Mike." Aries told him that the Aces and 8s don't care about him. Aries told him that he can just talk to him or he can beat it out of him. Aries grabbed a pair of pliers and grasped the tongue of Mike. The torture segment continued until Hogan interrupted. Hogan told Aries that he wanted a piece of Mike.
Before Hogan was going to stab him in the eye, his phone rang. It was the VP of the Aces and 8s. The group wants Mike back. Hogan negotiated a trade between Mike and the big guy of the Aces and 8s. Hogan also negotiated a match this Sunday between the big guy from the Aces and 8s and Austin Aries. The group has until the end of the night to make the trade. Hogan told Aries to let Mike live.
Talon's Take: Nice hook for the end of the show. I like the matchup between the Aces and 8s guy vs Austin Aries on Sunday. The show didn't feel big until tonight where the card started to fill.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
James Storm came to the ring to announce who he would face in the semi-finals at No Surrender. Storm called the last year a roller coaster ride. Storm recapped this year, losing to Roode, returning to the ring and fighting in the BFG Series. Storm said there were three guys standing in his way to regaining the World Title at Bound For Glory. Storm called them out so he could announce who he would face at No Surrender.
Storm put over Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy and Bully Ray for their own traits. Storm said he would face Bully Ray. He called Ray down to the ring so he could tell him something to his face. Ray came into the ring. Storm said Ray accused him of being the leader of the Aces and 8s. Storm said he knows who Ray is and this Sunday, he will find out who he is. Hardy and Samoa Joe faced off on the ramp in preparation for their match at the PPV as well.
Talon's Take: Great segment that gave us a nice sell for No Surrender. It will be James Storm vs Bully Ray in the semi-finals while Jeff Hardy faces Samoa Joe. The face-offs in this segment were a nice visual.
Kazarian and Daniels were preparing for their match, which is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Christy Hemme interviewed Rob Van Dam backstage before Magnus interrupted again. Magnus told Hemme to show compassion for RVD as he just lost out his big chance. Magnus said the old RVD wouldn't fall at the final hurdle. Magnus stated that maybe RVD wasn't the man that he once was. RVD went after Magnus before security and agents separated them.
Talon's Take: TNA is doing a good job of making Magnus look like a dick. I assume Magnus vs RVD will be added to No Surrender because of this.
Backstage, Hogan got off the phone with "Nick." Hogan selected Hernandez and Chavo for the tag title shot so they could prove themselves.
Kazarian and Daniels vs Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero
World Tag Team Championship
The challengers went right after the champions after the opening bell. Hernandez locked in a bearhug on Daniels into a belly to belly suplex. Chavo and Hernandez continued the double team assault on Daniels. Hernandez body slammed Chavo onto Daniels. Daniels made the tag to Kazarian, who also fell victim to Tex-Mex Express.
A well-placed knee by Kazarian gave the champions a short-term advantage. Unfortunately for them, Hernandez got the hot tag. Hernandez hit a big over the shoulder backbreaker on Kazarian. Hernandez put Kazarian up for a delayed vertical suplex as Chavo hit the three amigos on Daniels in a cool spot.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
The champions regained control after Kazarian draped Chavo's neck over the top rope. Kazarian and Daniels double teamed Chavo with an elbow drop and a leg drop. Kazarian and Daniels wore down Chavo with underhanded maneuvers. Daniels hiptossed Kazarian onto Chavo.
Hernandez got the hot tag with a Slingshot Shoulder Block. An explosive shoulder block sent Daniels across the ring. Hernandez turned a crossbody into a Sitdown Powerbomb (where he almost dropped him). Hernandez fought off the tag team champions. Chavo hit a Top Rope Hurricanrana on Hernandez, who landed onto Kazarian. Daniels broke up the pinfall. The match went outside where Daniels accidentally hit his tag team partner with a moonsault.
Super Mex hit the big man dive on the champions. Daniels brought in two tag team titles. He sent Chavo outside and while the referee was dealing with one title, he hit Hernandez with the other one. Kazarian rolled up Hernandez to retain the titles.
Hulk Hogan came out after the match. He congratulated the champions. Hogan said AJ Styles is backstage and wants a match against Kazarian and Daniels. Hogan said he didn't think AJ could beat them alone. Hogan announced that AJ would team with Kurt Angle one more time to fight Kazarian and Daniels for the tag team titles at No Surrender.
Talon's Take: The match was a very good tag team match. I thought Chavo and Hernandez worked very well together against the tag team champions. It was too early for them to win the tag team titles so the finish was right. I really look forward to Angle and AJ vs Daniels and Kazarian at No Surrender.
Mike Tenay and Taz ran down the card for No Surrender: Magnus vs RVD, the Tag Team Title Match, Sonjay Dutt vs Zema Ion for the X Division Title, Tara vs Tessmacher for the Knockouts Title, Samoa Joe vs Jeff Hardy in a BFG Series Semi-Final, James Storm vs Bully Ray in a BFG Semi-Final Match, the two winners facing each other in the finals.
Austin Aries lead Mike backstage as we would find out next if the "Armbreaker" from the Aces and 8s would accept Hogan's challenge.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Austin Aries brought Mike to the ring. Mike was handcuffed and needed help getting in the ring. Aries said he was more than happy to beat the information out of Mike but he hold some sort of value to the Aces and 8s. Aries said he would hand Mike back but he wanted "the Armbreaker" to walk down to the ring and accept a fight at No Surrender.
Aries was about to call the deal off as nobody came out. Aries started beating on Mike. Mike was about to talk when "the Armbreaker" came out and pulled Mike out of the ring. The big guy wailed on Mike with a hammer. Aries and the big man started brawling in the ring as the show came to a close.
Talon's Take: Good segment to end the show! Of course nothing more has been revealed but I have a feeling that we might get some nice information at No Surrender in the fight between Aries and the Armbreaker.
FINAL TAKE
Very good go-home show leading into No Surrender. Most of the PPV card filled up tonight with a series of segments. TNA continues to be the best wrestling show on TV today. The Aces and 8s are a big reason for that.
